THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1919. THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 16 May 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1919. THE OTAKI HOSPITAL.

In n recent issue -.we published a report of :i discussion .which ensued at the last meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board ivith respect to tho Otaki Hospital, from which : it would ,be seen that certain members, of : the .Board inferred that there .was a possibility of closing the Otaki Hospi--tal. The chairman of the Board- (Sir James Wilson) stated in discussion at hist Board meeting that "the understanding, so far as the Hospital Board was concerned, was that, should the Government, hand over the control of the Otaki Hospitallo the Board, it was in the power of the Board to close it." When Mr Bonn protested against this statement, Sir James, added, "It must be quite clear that if it comes back to our jurisdiction, then it will be for us to consider tlic question of closing it down. I don't say that we will do it, but merely that we would have the right to do so." Other members of the Board concurred in this view. Now we must say emphatically that the possibility of closing the Otaki Hospital was never contemplated by the residents of Horowlienua ilistrict when the arrangement was made for seceding j from Wellington and joining the Pal- ] mersfon North district. Unfortunately, I there appears to be some little misconi ception as to the exact nature of the i agreement arrived at with regard to the | future of the Otaki hospital, at the I time that this district was taken over ' by Balmersiou Xorth, and it is very | evident that the Horowlienua district residents had a totally different opinion on this matter to thai expressed by the Hospital Board members last week. "When a deputation from ?h« Horowlienua, district waited on the Palmorston North Board, in July, 3 917, in reference to hospital, severance matters. the "Manawatu Daily Times" reported the chairman of the Board as having said that, "the Board did not want to keep the Otaki hospital going, as all eifees, except perhaps accidents, could be dealt with at Piilmerston." The Horowlienua member* of ihe deputation, interviewed at the time by |he. ("Otaki .Mail." noted that Sir James

Wilson was not correctly- reported in this connection. They declared that the Hospital Board members impressed on the deputation that they would wish to discourage people going to the Otaki Hospital, sis they could be treated at Palmerston Xorth at :i cheaper rate. Members of the deputation assured the "Mail" reporter that "there was no

intention whatever of doing away with the Otaki Hospital." This view of the matter is home out by the Horowhenua County Chairman (Or. Monk), who was prime mover in the negotiations i'or joining with the Palmerston Xorth district. Speaking at the County Council meeting last Saturday,* 0 Cr. Monk said a movement should .be made i't J prevent any attempt to close the Otaki I Hospital. In a report of the deputation to Palmerston Xorth. taken from one of the Palmerston papers, it appears that the Board wished the imputation to giro an undertaking that the number or patient a to be treated at the Otaki Hospital be rfstrletecl to 100 per annum (the average for the previous two years had been 140). the object being to encourage people to go to PaLnic-rstou for treatment. However, after discussion. the Board with-irerr its Objections, and "no restriction was impose,! with regard to the Otaki HospitaKs ope*a- ; tions." When the Government took over the Otaki Hospital for war purposes, they made it clear that >'the institution would -till be available for the resident s : of the district requiring .surgical! and medical treatment." and rhie general public have all along been : under iihe impression that when the (hospital! revert* <>; the Hospital Board.

. a» it probably will ere i^a^ # it will tie I open u~.i the public on similar ii&zi; ! though it srai known that the Ho.-rpitaj 1 Board wished that as many patients as . possiWe be sent to Patmersfon Xorth. j as they .eonld be treated .there af .a I cheaper, rate, ft j» a great pity that some more detiuite Biulerstanding' ffaf not. arrived at at the time negonations were being made, and we wosria suggest that the local bodies interested impress on the Hospital BonTd their view of The jtnatter. . Of course. The Board may never make any attempt to close tie : hospital-—nothing .of the kind seemsl likely at present— hjxt in view of the I expressed opinions -of the cbairsian of '

the Board, Mr Penn was quite justified in making a protest, and we consider the local bodies, of this district should press for an understanding on the v.excd point, in view; of the possibility of anv further action being taken in the future. The possibility of closing the local hospital would; wc are quite certain, be strongly opposed by every resident of the Horowlienua district. This hospital is a most useful institution, doiltg magnificent humane work, and to close it, down would be not only a breach of faith with the public, but a calamity to the entire district, where it has been such a comfort and a blessing to hundreds.